Contriva

contriva are very close to the small Berlin vinyl label lok (Mina, Komeit u.a.) where they released two 10″-eps and two 7″-singles in the past two years. Their instrumental tracks are arranged by using rather conventional devices (gtr–bg–keys-dr). Less an deconstructive approach than a fondness for traditional songwriting (influences are such like Neil Young, New Order and Low) is characteristic for their music, even though there are no vocals (with very few exceptions). Generally the results are somewhat melancholic pop tunes, meant to be catchy, but in a glamourless way “tell me when”, their first longplay record, was recorded by contriva in (at???) a holiday home in slovakian mountains and later mixed by Tobias Levin at the electric avenue studio in Hamburg. According to the late- august- in-the- mountains- mood, their record is very relaxed, sunlit and dusty at the same time. By the way: the opener “on the porch” was really recorded on the porch, if you listen well, you can hear crickets in the background.